Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and several European leaders reportedly had a narrow escape during a Russian drone attack in Ukraine.
Johnson was travelling on a special train during his visit to Ukraine when drones struck a nearby railway crossing. The attack damaged a fuel station and set several vehicles on fire.
After receiving an alert, the train’s drivers immediately stopped the service and helped passengers get off. The quick response reportedly prevented casualties. Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt and other European leaders were also travelling on the train.
Former CIA chief David Petraeus was reportedly on another train in the area. Local media said several drones attacked that train as well, but authorities had evacuated the passengers beforehand. No injuries were reported.
Johnson condemned the attacks as pointless and urged Britain to provide Ukraine with stronger air-defence systems and more weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that greater support from allies could help bring the war to an end sooner.
Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has suspended most air services because of the risk of missile and drone attacks. As a result, people including visiting foreign leaders depend heavily on trains and buses. The reported attack on railway services has raised fresh concerns about the safety of civilian transport in Ukraine.
